A man at the head of a gang which sent drugs into South Cumbria has been jailed for almost 10 years.
Yacine Djalti, 20, of Liverpool but of no fixed abode, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court and was sentenced to nine years and nine months in prison for:
- Conspiracy to supply heroin
- Conspiracy to supply crack cocaine
- Criminal damage to property
- Possessing a knife blade in a public place
- Racially aggravated public order
The offences relate to the running of a crack cocaine and heroin county line, called Mo into South Cumbria between July and August 2021.
Other members of the gang were sentenced on March 23.
- Fred Williams, 21, of Glasven Road, Liverpool was sentenced to two years, ten months for being concerned in the supply of cocaine and heroin.
- Gary Crompton, 59, of Aurorean Close, Liverpool was sentenced to two years for conspiring to supply crack cocaine and heroin.
- Ben Heavyside, 31, of Titchfield Street, Barrow was sentenced to three years, four months for conspiring to supply heroin and arrange or facilitate travel of another person with a view of exploitation
- Derek Duncan, 50 of, Stonegarth, Carlisle has been sentenced to two years for conspiring to supply crack cocaine and heroin.
- Marc Woods, 44, of Abbey Road, Barrow was sentenced to 13 months for permitting premises to be used.
On July 28 last year, police conducted a warrant at an address on Abbey Road, Barrow, after a tip-off that drug dealing was happening in the area.
Eighty wraps of crack cocaine and 98 wraps of heroin to a value of £3,600, along with £360 cash, was seized from the address.
Inside was the flat were Woods, street dealer Duncan, and ‘stock keeper’ Williams. All three were arrested.
Phone evidence from the day showed frequent contact between all three and Djalti, as well as contact with drug courier Crompton.
On August 5 officers conducted a warrant at a further address on Titchfield Street, Barrow,, from which 89 wraps of heroin and £1,080 cash was seized. Inside was the flat occupant and street dealer Heavyside, and a juvenile from Merseyside.
The final arrest of the investigation took place in Merseyside, on August 17, when Cumbria and Merseyside Police jointly executed a warrant.
As they approached the address, Djalti was spotted on the street and they chased him through gardens. Police said Djalti discarded mobile phones, cash, and a knife during the pursuit.
When the phones were recovered it was found that both were the handsets used to run the county line over the period of the conspiracy.
A spokesperson from the south area Community Serious and Organised Crime Unit said: “Djalti’s drug operation exploited the most vulnerable in society, for profit.
“He and other members of the crime group used a child to traffic drugs into the county, and he made money from Cumbrians struggling with addiction.
“The investigation against this criminal group was lengthy and complex, and the strength of the evidence against Djalti – which ultimately led him to plead guilty to the full facts of the prosecution case rather than elect for trial – was achieved in partnership with Merseyside Police.
“I hope these sentences send a strong message to those selling class A drugs into South Cumbria: we will pursue you, arrest you, and prosecute you no matter where you live.”
